The plebiscite of 25 October was an exemplary democratic act. Servel reported that 7,531,261 citizens voting in Chile took their vote, which corresponds to 50.90% of the electoral roll. While a higher percentage of turnout to the polls would have been desirable, however, the number of people who participated in this event is sufficient to give legitimacy to the constituent process.
It is important to note that the Constitutional Convention option gained 78.99% electoral support, which is particularly important not only because it will be the first time in Chile’s constitutional history that the Constitution will be discussed and drafted by elected members entirely by citizens, but also because this option meant betting on gender parity in shaping the constituent body.
Indeed, the will expressed on Sunday by almost 80% of the people who came to vote implies supporting a Constitutional Convention that will be integrated with effective gender parity. It is not a question of securing only quotas on the lists for women, it is a much more intense solution: 50% of the constituent seats will be occupied by women. What happened on Sunday, October 25 is the most powerful sign of a will that effectively pursues ending inequalities between men and women, defeating gender stereotypes, and allowing women to play a decisive role in the debates where big decisions are made.
Chile’s constituent process is unique in the world. We are facing an act of establishing the Constitution with many instances of citizen participation, with a constituent body 100% made up of people elected by the citizenry and where gender parity is guaranteed. Not only must women be happy with this historical fact, but also all those who believe in a fairer and more equitable society.
We therefore hope that the new Constitution will be built on a gender perspective and ensure that effective gender equality will be one of its guiding principles and that parity will not only be a gamble in this process but a permanent instrument in every election process where we have to choose the integration of collegiate bodies.
The content poured into this opinion column is the sole responsibility of its author, and does not necessarily reflect the editorial line or position of El Mostrador.
